Leafs GM Brad Treliving May Be Forced to Use Backup 3C Option as Market Tightens
Photo credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving could look to some more underrated names to sign for his new-look team this summer and it could start with free agent Pius Suter.
As Toronto attempts to inject some new DNA into their team (whatever that ends up entailing), they are going to look long and hard at every option available to see if there are some sneakier names they can add that would help them accomplish their goals without breaking the bank.
For the Maple Leafs, the team should really scour the market and take a look at one free agent center not getting too much attention, that being Pius Suter.
Pius Suter's a sneaky good option for Brad Treliving
There isn't much that you look at first glance when it comes to Suter, but for someone who is both defensively gifted and a decent offensive presence; he could be a great change who fits in Craig Berube's system.
One of the better defensive role players in the league, he's a great penalty killer, can draw penalties, plays aggressively and doesn't mind throwing the body a little bit.
Though he is a bit smaller than your typical Maple Leafs signing, he would be a great secondary option who is just coming off a career-high 25 goals.
It might depend a bit on who he plays with in order to unlock his full offensive potential, but he's not necessarily going to be expected to do as much in Toronto as he did in Vancouver.
What is Pius Suter going to cost the Maple Leafs?
Well, it might seem a bit scary to think that he'll be expensive, especially since Elliotte Friedman stated that the Canucks don't want to pay what the market might offer; a number that could reach $4.5-5 million per season.
Also echoing those sentiments is radio host Bik Nizzar, who believes Suter could get a number that high as well.
Paying a 29-year old only $5M for the next four years with a rising cap doesn't sound like a bad deal whatsoever, and with
Max Domi being so polarizing (and potentially on his way out), Suter fits the role perfectly.
Plus, it doesn't make
Toronto's other free agent pursuits a lost cause, as they will have more than enough money to either make one splash or fill out the lineup with role players better fit for Craig Berube.
Suter has 162 points in 364 games (82G, 80A) with 174 blocks, 204 hits, and only 76 PIM with time spent in Chicago, Detroit and Vancouver.
Signed as a free agent out of Switzerland by the Blackhawks, he scored in his NHL debut (a hat-trick) before eventually signing with Detroit then the Canucks.
Previously on HockeyPatrol
POLL |
JUIN 14 | 319 ANSWERS Leafs GM Brad Treliving May Be Forced to Use Backup 3C Option as Market Tightens Should Brad Treliving try and sign Pius Suter as a defensive 3C? |
Yes | 141 | 44.2 % |
No | 178 | 55.8 % |
List of polls |